Tampa plumber arrested in fraud case

Timothy Wayne Sexton, a representative of Plumbing Rescue Co. in Tampa, was arrested and charged with scheming to defraud and grand theft.

On several occasions, Plumbing Rescue employees allegedly pressured homeowners into completing thousands of dollars of unnecessary plumbing repairs by using scare tactics and false statements, according to a statement from Florida CFO Jeff Atwater.

Investigators reviewed complaints that the company misled homeowners into believing that their pipes would collapse and their houses would be condemned.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an updated version of this story, based on a corrected news release from the CFO's office.